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Sweida Wholesale Market Traders Go on Strike to Protest Fees at Al-Matouna Checkpoint
Traders at the wholesale market in the city of Sweida have launched a protest strike in response to what they described as humiliating practices and the imposition of financial charges at the Al-Matouna checkpoint, amid growing frustration over restrictions on the transport of vegetables and agricultural produce.
According to circulating reports, traders are allegedly required to pay approximately 500,000 Syrian pounds to workers affiliated with the checkpoint in exchange for unloading their entire shipment of vegetables. The demand has angered traders and prompted them to declare a strike.
The strike comes amid mounting complaints about the difficulties facing the transportation of agricultural produce to and from Sweida province, as well as the additional burdens imposed on traders and farmers. The traders are calling for an end to any abuses or fees collected outside the legal framework.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stressed that protecting traders and farmers and ensuring the free movement of goods requires stricter oversight of checkpoints and accountability for any party proven to be involved in imposing extortionate fees or exploiting civilians and traders.
